Improvement of accommodation with anti-oxidant supplementation in visual display terminal users

Objective

To determine the antioxidant supplementation effect on accommodation among VDT users.

Design

A double blind randomized placebo controlled study. Registered under Clinical Trials.gov Identifier No. NCT00877201.

Participants and Controls

Fourty right eyes of 40 healthy VDT users (30 females, 10 males, mean age: 43.8±2.8 years, range: 40?C49 years). 20 subjects (15 females, 5 males; mean age: 44.0±2.7 years, range: 40?C49 years).

Methods

Subjects were required to take an antioxidant supplement, 20 age and sex matched subjects (15 females, 5 males; mean age: 43.6±3.1 years, range: 40?C49 years) were required to take placebo medication for 4 weeks.

Results

The mean of the change in accommodation power was significantly higher in the group receiving antioxidant supplements (0.20±0.50 Diopter(D)) compared to the placebo group (?0.12±0.48(D)) (p<0.05).

Conclusions

Antioxidant supplementation was observed to improve accommodation in Japanese Visual Display Terminal (VDT) Users.     

Effect of green tea (Camellia sinensis) consumption on the components of metabolic syndrome in elderly

Objective

To evaluate the effect of the consumption of green tea on components of MS in the elderly.

Design

Intervention study.

Setting

The sample was selected from the Geriatric Service of Hospital S?o Lucas of Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul.

Participants

45 elderly with MS were enrolled and allocated into two groups: green tea group (GTG, n = 24), who drank green tea and control group (CG, n= 21) without intervention.

Intervention

The GTG received sachets of 1.0 g of green tea, and should drink three cups per day for 60 days and the CG was instructed not to make changes in their lifestyle.

Measurements

The diagnostic criteria for MS used were the International Diabetes Federation. The lipidic and glycemie profile, and anthropometric measurements were evaluated before and after intervention.

Results

There was a statistically significant weight loss only in GTG [71.5±12.6 kg to 70.3±12.6 kg (p<0.001)]. A statistically significant decrease in BMI [?0.5±0.4 kg/m² in GTG and ?0.2±0.6 kg/m² in CG (P=0.032)] and waist circumference [?2.2±2.0 cm in GTG and ? 0.3±1.8 cm in CG (P=0.002)] were observed. The intake of green tea did not change the biochemical parameters.

Conclusion

The consumption of green tea was effective in inducing weight loss, reducing BMI and waist circumference in the elderly with MS.     

Antioxidant status of elite athletes remains impaired 2 weeks after a simulated altitude training camp

Background

It has been shown that the antioxidant status was altered by the “live high-train low” (LHTL) method, however, no information is available regarding the antioxidant restoration during the recovery period.

Aim of the study

We tested the hypothesis that the antioxidant status is impaired by 18 days LHTL in elite athletes and remained altered after 14 days of recovery.

Methods

Eleven elite cross-country skiers from the French Skiing Federation were submitted to 18-day endurance training. Six (hypoxic group; HG) trained at 1,200 m and lived in hypoxia (simulated altitude of 2,500 m–3,000 m–3,500 m) and 5 (control group; CG) trained and lived at 1,200 m. Plasma levels of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), malondialdehydes (MDA), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) lipid-soluble antioxidants (α-tocopherol, β-carotene and lycopene) were measured at rest, before (PRE), the first day after (POST1) and again 2 weeks (POST14) after the training. Intakes of vitamins A and E were evaluated from the dietary recording.

Results

In POST1, FRAP and TEAC decreased in both groups, however, the TEAC decrease persisted in POST14 for HG only. Lycopene and β-carotene decreased in POST1 for HG and remained lower in POST14. Finally, AOPP increased only for HG in POST1. The general decline of antioxidant status for both groups might result from insufficient intakes in vitamins A and E.

Conclusion

This is the first study to show that the antioxidant status did not return to baseline 2 weeks after 18 days of LHTL training.     

A jerte valley cherry product provides beneficial effects on sleep quality. Influence on aging

Objective

In the present work, we evaluated the effect of the intake of a Jerte Valley cherry-based product (JVCP), compared to a placebo product, on sleep quality, urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (aMT6-s) levels and the serum concentration of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin-8 (IL-8).

Design

This was a blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover study.

Setting

University of Extremadura (Spain).

Participants

Ten young (20–30 years old), ten middle-aged (35–55 years old), and ten elderly (65–85 years old) participants.

Intervention

A placebo (Kool-Aid®) or JVCP (patent no. ES 2342141 B1) were consumed twice a day, as lunch and dinner desserts.

Measurements

Actigraphic monitoring was used to record and display the temporal patterns of the individuals’ activity and rest. Urinary aMT6-s and serum cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-8) were also determined.

Results

The consumption of the JVCP improved the nocturnal rest, measured by sleep efficiency, number of awakenings, total nocturnal activity, sleep latency, assumed sleep, actual sleep time and immobility. Moreover, it was detected an increase in both the levels of aMT6-s found in first-void morning urine and the concentrations of serum pro-somnogenic cytokines obtained from samples collected at the acrophase of the melatonin rhythm (1.00 am) in all experimental age groups after the JVCP consumption. Generally, better results were obtained with advancing age.

Conclusion

The ingestion of the JVCP may contribute to establish a high-quality sleep and be used as a potential nutraceutical tool to prevent sleep disorders with the advance of age.     

Dizziness impairs health-related quality of life

Purpose

Relatively little is known about the level of impairment in patients with dizziness.

Research question

How much does dizziness impair the quality of life of patients referred to a multidisciplinary dizziness unit?

Patients and methods

All 2,252 patients completed the Dutch version of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI-D; score 0?C100 with higher scores representing more impairment). The results were classified into three categories: mild, moderate, and severe impairment. The three domains in the DHI representing physical, functional, and emotional aspects of dizziness were compared, as well as DHI scores of men versus women, between diagnoses, and the relationship between DHI and age.

Results

A total of 2,242 patients (64% women, mean age 54?years) completed the DHI with a mean score of 40.6. Almost 70% of patients had moderate or severe complaints. The handicap perceived by patients was primarily caused by physical and functional factors and less by emotional factors. Female patients and patients with hyperventilation syndrome and/or anxiety disorder had significantly higher DHI scores on all subscales. There was an S-shaped relationship between DHI score and age, and older patients reported more impairment.

Conclusion

Dizziness has considerable impact on health-related quality of life of dizzy patients.     

Tocotrienol rich fraction supplementation improved lipid profile and oxidative status in healthy older adults: A randomized controlled study

Background

Vitamin E supplements containing tocotrienols are now being recommended for optimum health but its effects are scarcely known. The objective was to determine the effects of Tocotrienol Rich Fraction (TRF) supplementation on lipid profile and oxidative status in healthy older individuals at a dose of 160 mg/day for 6 months.

Methods

Sixty-two subjects were recruited from two age groups: 35-49 years (n = 31) and above 50 years (n = 31), and randomly assigned to receive either TRF or placebo capsules for six months. Blood samples were obtained at 0, 3^rd and 6^th months.

Results

HDL-cholesterol in the TRF-supplemented group was elevated after 6 months (p < 0.01). Protein carbonyl contents were markedly decreased (p < 0.001), whereas AGE levels were lowered in the > 50 year-old group (p < 0.05). Plasma levels of total vitamin E particularly tocopherols were significantly increased in the TRF-supplemented group after 3 months (p < 0.01). Plasma total tocotrienols were only increased in the > 50 year-old group after receiving 6 months of TRF supplementation. Changes in enzyme activities were only observed in the > 50 year-old group. SOD activity was decreased after 3 (p < 0.05) and 6 (p < 0.05) months of TRF supplementation whereas CAT activity was decreased after 3 (p < 0.01) and 6 (p < 0.05) months in the placebo group. GPx activity was increased at 6 months for both treatment and placebo groups (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The observed improvement of plasma cholesterol, AGE and antioxidant vitamin levels as well as the reduced protein damage may indicate a restoration of redox balance after TRF supplementation, particularly in individuals over 50 years of age.     

Effects of curcumin on retinal oxidative stress and inflammation in diabetes

Background

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease with multiple risk factors, many of which appear to involve oxidative stress. Macular pigment, with its antioxidant and light-screening properties, is thought to be protective against AMD. A result has been the appearance of dietary supplements containing the macular carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin. More recently, a supplement has been marketed containing, in addition, the third major carotenoid of the macular pigment, meso-zeaxanthin. The purpose of the study was to determine the effectiveness of such a supplement in raising macular pigment density in human subjects.

Methods

A 120 day supplementation study was conducted in which 10 subjects were given gel-caps that provided 20 mg/day of predominantly meso-zeaxanthin, with smaller amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin. A second group of 9 subjects were given gel caps containing a placebo for the same 120 day period. Prior to and during the supplementation period, blood serum samples were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography for carotenoid content. Similarly, macular pigment optical density was measured by heterochromatic flicker photometry. Differences in response between the supplementation and placebo groups were tested for significance using a student's t-test.

Results

During supplementation with the carotenoids, blood samples revealed the presence of all three carotenoids. Macular pigment optical density, measured at 460 nm, rose at an average rate of 0.59 ± 0.79 milli-absorbance unit/day in the 10 supplemented subjects. This was significantly different from the placebo group (9 subjects) for whom the average rate was -0.17 ± 0.42 milli-absorbance units/day.

Conclusion

We have shown for the first time that meso-zeaxanthin is absorbed into the serum following ingestion. The data indicate that a supplement containing predominantly meso-zeaxanthin is generally effective at raising macular pigment density, and may turn out to be a useful addition to the defenses against AMD.     

Psoriasis in patients older than 65 years. A comparative study with younger adult psoriatic patients

Objectives

To examine the clinical characteristics of psoriasis, prevalence of comorbidities and quality of life in psoriasis patients older than 65 years and to compare them with younger adult psoriatic patients.

Design

Prospective observational study of prevalence.

Setting and participants

Patients older than 18 years with diagnosis of psoriasis attended at the Dermatology Department of the University Hospital of A Coru?a (Galicia, Spain). A total of 371 patients were included (218 males and 153 females) with ages ranging from 18 to 85 years, of whom 70 were older than 65 years.

Measurements

Demographic data, clinical characteristics and psoriasis treatment, history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking and alcohol consumption and quality of life impairment were registered. Body mass index, waist-hip ratio, left ventricular hypertrophy, average value of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose blood levels were also measured.

Results

Patients older than 65 years have statistically significant higher prevalence of hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, waist-hip ratio, diabetes mellitus and raised blood glucose levels. There was also association between clinical severity of psoriasis and smoking and alcohol intake as well as between quality of life and type of psoriasis treatment.

Conclusions

Psoriasis in patients older than 65 years represents a significant proportion of cases and its prevalence is expected to increase. Because these patients are more prone to suffer comorbidities and to develop adverse effects due to psoriasis treatment, attention to pharmacologic interactions and correction of cardiovascular risk factors and toxic habits should be especially taken in mind in this age group.     

Nutritional status in chronically-ill elderly patients. Is it related to quality of life?

Objective

The aim of this study is to assess the quality of life in chronically-ill elderly patients and its relationship with parameters concerning the patients’ nutritional status.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Setting

Primary health-care centres in Jaen, Spain.

Participants

A total of 168 chronically-ill elderly outpatients aged from 65 to 89 years.

Measurements

Quality of life was measured using the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire. A nutritional assessment was undertaken including socio-demographic variables, anthropometric measurements (body-mass index and calf circumference), functional evaluation (Barthel index and Folstein mini-mental status test) and a dietetic questionnaire. The mini-nutritional assessment test was used as an assessment tool to detect nutritional risk.

Results

Quality of life in chronically-ill elderly subjects, as determined by the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire, which diminishes with age, is independent of anthropometric parameters and a statistically significant difference was found between gender, socio-demographic characteristics, functional capacity, nutritional status and the kind of chronic disease (p<0.05).

Conclusion

The relationship between the quality of life with the patients’ socio-demographic characteristics, functional capacity and nutritional status underlines the importance of taking these factors into account in the management of chronically ill patients, especially women.     

Body mass index, lifestyles, physical performance and cognitive decline: The “Treviso Longeva (Trelong)” study

Objectives

The relative contributions of risk factors, as body mass index (BMI), depression, chronic diseases, smoking, and lifestyles (as physical and performance activity, social contacts and reading habit) to cognitive decline in the elderly are unclear. We explored these variables in relation to 7-year cognitive decline in long-lived Italian elderly.

Design

Secondary data analysis of a longitudinal study of a representative, age-stratified, population sample.

Setting

The TREVISO LONGEVA (TRELONG) Study, in Treviso, Italy.

Participants

120 men and 189 women, age 77 years and older (mean age 80.2 ± 6.9 years) survivors after seven years of follow up.

Measurements

Cognitive decline measured as difference between Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score in 2003 and in 2010; Body mass index (BMI), handgrip, Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score, social contacts, reading habit, sight, hearing, schooling, mediterranean diet and multiple clinical and survey data recorded at baseline in 2003.

Results

In separate univariate analyses, age, SPPB score < 5, depressive symptoms (GDS) and more comorbidities (CCI) were associated with greater cognitive decline. Otherwise higher BMI, higher handgrip, reading habit, non-deteriorated sight and hearing, and schooling were protective. In a final multivariate model, age and higher BMI were associated with greater cognitive decline while reading habits was protective. SPPB score < 5 tends, though weakly, to be associated with greater cognitive decline. These associations remained with multivariate adjustment for gender, schooling, Charlson co-morbidity index (CCI) and baseline MMSE.

Conclusion

Age and higher baseline BMI, independent of gender, and other confounding factors, are risk factors for cognitive decline. Reading habit plays a protective role seven years later among northern Italian adults aged 70 years or older. Low physical performance tends, though weakly, to be associated with greater cognitive decline.     

Television, physical activity, diet, and body weight status: the ARIC cohort

Objective

This study investigated the construct validity of a computerised self-assessment tool to measure psychological, social and environmental influences of young peoples' physical activity. First, analyses of the measure's factorial validity, invariance across, age, gender culture were conducted. Second, the ability of the derived subscales to discriminate between children representing different levels of self-reported and objectively measured physical activity behaviour was examined.

Methods

Participants were 1875 boys and 2078 girls (total = 3958) aged 9–10 years (n = 1955, mean age = 9.65 ± 0.42) and 15–16 years (n = 2003, mean age = 15.49 ± 0.50) from four European countries in Northern, Southern and Eastern Europe who took part in the European Youth Heart Study (EYHS). Children completed the computerised self-assessment tool with support from the researcher if requested. Self-reported exercise and an objective measure of physical activity (Actigraph model 7164) were used for additional construct validation purposes.

Results

Overall evidence of good fit indicating satisfactory factorial validity and cross-cultural, age and gender invariance for 3 of the 4 measurement models were obtained. The majority of measures were also significantly different for those with high versus low levels of physical activity.

Conclusion

Overall, the computerised questionnaire holds promise for use cross-culturally with male and female children and adolescents to measure perceived personal, social and environmental influences on physical activity. Further development of the measures pertaining to perceived environmental influences seems warranted.     

Homocysteine,antioxidant micronutrients and late onset dementia

Purpose

To distinguish between contributions to dementia made by homocysteine, folate, B12 and antioxidant micronutrients.

Methods

This is a follow-up study of a sample reported in 2002. Homocysteine was measured at baseline in 201 individuals born in 1921 and without dementia at age 77 years and followed up to age 88 years. Baseline macro- and micronutrient status was estimated from BMI, the MONICA food frequency questionnaire, plasma folate, B12 and, in a subgroup (N = 173), plasma antioxidant micronutrients. Time to dementia onset during follow-up was compared between participants grouped by homocysteine concentration using Cox regression. Model 1 adjusted for age, sex, childhood IQ, education, socioeconomic deprivation, presence of heart disease, hypertension, plasma folate and B12. In model 2 plasma, antioxidants were added to these covariables.

Results

During a mean follow-up of about 5 years, there were 39 incident dementia cases among 201 participants. In model 1, being in the highest homocysteine group (>14 μmol/L) was associated with a 234 % increased risk (HR 3.34, 95 % CI 1.16–9.57) of any dementia. After inclusion of plasma antioxidants in model 2, there were 32 incident dementia cases from a subsample (N = 173). Homocysteine >14 μmol was associated with a 272 % increased dementia risk (HR = 3.72, 95 % CI 1.06–13.08).

Conclusions

High homocysteine increases the risk of dementia. The association between tHcy and dementia is independent of plasma folate, B12 and antioxidant micronutrient status.     

Nutritional status according to Mini Nutritional Assessment is related to functional status in geriatric patients — independent of health status

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between nutritional and functional status in acute geriatric patients including mobility and considering health status.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Hospital.

Participants

205 geriatric patients (median age 82.0 (IQR: 80–86) years, 69.3% women).

Measurements

Nutritional status was determined by Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and patients were categorized as well-nourished (≥ 24 points), at risk of malnutrition (17–23.5 points) or as malnourished (< 17 points). Functional status was determined by Barthel Index (BI) and Timed ‘Up and Go’ Test (TUG) and related to MNA categories. Using binary multiple logistic regression the impact of nutritional status on functional status was examined, adjusted for health status.

Results

60.3 % of the patients were at risk of malnutrition and 29.8 % were malnourished. Ability to perform basic activities of daily living (ADL) decreased with declining nutritional status. The proportion of patients unable to perform the TUG increased with worsening of nutritional status (45.0 % vs. 50.4 % vs. 77.0 %, p<0.01). After adjusting for age, gender, number of diagnoses, disease severity and cognitive function, a higher MNA score significantly lowered the risk of being dependent in ADL (OR 0.85, 95 % CI 0.77–0.94) and inability to perform the TUG (OR 0.90, 95 % CI 0.82–0.99).

Conclusion

Nutritional status according to MNA was related to ADL as well as to mobility in acute geriatric patients. This association remained after adjusting for health status.     

Hypoglycaemic symptoms and hypoglycaemia threshold in older people with diabetes-A patient perspective

Objectives: Objectives

To investigate patients’ views about their lowest tolerable blood glucose level and explore symptoms they may develop below that level.

Design

A semi-structured patient interview.

Setting

Outpatient clinic for older people (≥75 years) with diabetes.

Participants

Patients attending an outpatient clinic over a six months period who are monitoring their blood glucose at home and able to participate in interview.

Results

Sixty one patients gave answers to the interview questions. Mean (SD) age was 82.3 (3.9) years and 33 (54%) were females. All patients indicated that they were usually aware when hypoglycaemia occurs but the symptoms reported were mostly non specific. The threshold for hypoglycaemia was 5 mmol/L in 13 (21%) patients, 6 mmol/L in 14 (23%) patients, 7 mmol/L in 13 (21%) patients, 8 mmol/L in 17 (28%) patients and 9 mmol/L in 4 (7%) patients. There was no significant difference between patients who were symptomatic at a higher blood glucose level (>6mmo/L) and those who developed symptoms at a lower level (≤6mmol/L).

Conclusion

Older people with diabetes who seem to be aware of hypoglycaemia report mostly non specific symptoms. The threshold of experiencing hypoglycaemic symptoms appears to be higher than the usually defined <4mmol/L.     

Relationship between use of proton pump inhibitors and IGF system in older subjects

Objectives

to investigate the effects of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) on the insulin-like-growth factor 1(IGF-1) system in the elderly.

Design

cross-sectional.

Setting

InCHIANTI study.

Participants

938 older subjects (536 women, 402 men, mean age 75.7±7.4 years).

Measurements

complete data on age, sex, BMI, liver function, medications, dietary intake, IGF-1, IGF-binding protein-1 and -3 (IGFBP-1, IGFBP-3).

Results

Participants were categorized by PPI use, identifying 903 PPI non users and 35 users. After adjusting for age, male PPI users (107.0 ± 69.6 vs 127.1 ± 55.8, p<0.001) and female PPI users (87.6 ± 29.1 vs 107.6 ± 52.3, p=0.03) had lower IGF-1 levels than non-users. IGFBP-1 levels were similar in the two groups in both sexes. In whole population, after adjustment for age and sex, PPI users had lower IGF-1 levels 81.9 [61.1–113.8] than nonusers 110 [77.8–148.6], p=0.02. After further adjustment for BMI, albumin, liver function, C-reactive protein, Interleukin-6, number of medications, ACE-inhibitors use, caloric intake, protein intake, physical activity, glycemia, and IGFBP-1, the use of PPIs remained significantly and negatively associated with IGF-1 levels (β±SE=?19.60±9.83, p=0.045).

Conclusion

Use of PPIs was independently and negatively associated with IGF-1 levels.     

Evaluation of physical activity and its relationship to health-related quality of life in patients on chronic hemodialysis

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between physical activity and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients on chronic hemodialysis.

Methods

A total of 31 men (69.0 ± 11.1 years) and 17 women (66.9 ± 10.0 years) among 61 male and 30 female patients on chronic hemodialysis at Innoshima General Hospital, Onomichi, Japan, were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Physical activity was evaluated using tri-axial accelerometers. HRQOL and psychological distress were also evaluated using the EuroQol questionnaire (EQ-5D) and the K6 questionnaire, respectively.

Results

Physical activity evaluated by Σ[metabolic equivalents × h per week (METs·h/w)] was 8.1 ± 6.0 METs·h/w, and EQ-5D score was 0.754 ± 0.177. Among all patients, EQ-5D scores were significantly correlated with physical activity over 4 METs on non-hemodialysis treatment days (r = 0.426, p = 0.003). In women, EQ-5D scores were also correlated with physical activity over 4 METs on hemodialysis treatment days and non-hemodialysis treatment days. By stepwise multiple regression analysis, physical activity over 4 METs on non-hemodialysis treatment days was a determinant factor of EQ-5D even after adjusting for age and K6 scores.

Conclusion

Physical activity over 4 METs on non-hemodialysis treatment days might be associated with EQ-5D in patients on chronic hemodialysis, especially in women.     

Blood trace minerals concentrations and oxidative stress in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

Background

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with increased oxidative stress. Certain essential trace minerals have shown to play an important role in the maintenance of redox homeostasis. We determined the concentrations of trace minerals in OSA patients and assessed their relationships to OSA severity as indicated by the apnea/hypopnea index (AHI).

Methods

We enrolled 44 patients with newly diagnosed mild to moderate OSA and 20 without OSA. The following parameters were measured: polysomnographic values of nocturnal sleep; plasma trace minerals zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and erythrocyte selenium (Se); oxidative stress status; and plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α).

Results

Compared to controls matched for age, gender, and body mass index, OSA patients had lower concentrations of plasma Zn and erythrocyte Se and higher plasma concentrations of Cu and Fe. OSA patients had significantly higher plasma concentrations of hs-CRP, TNF-α, and malondialdehyde (MDA), and lower erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase activities. Significant differences in all the above parameters were also found in patients with moderate OSA compared to those with mild OSA. Furthermore, AHI values correlated significantly with neck circumference, GPx activity, and MDA, hs-CRP, and TNF-α concentrations in OSA patients. AHI values were also negatively associated with concentrations of plasma Zn and erythrocyte Se, but were positively linked to plasma concentrations of Fe and Cu.

Conclusions

Abnormal concentrations of these trace minerals may reflect oxidative damage and inflammatory response, thus increasing the severity of OSA.     

The validity and reliability of a home environment preschool-age physical activity questionnaire (Pre-PAQ)

Background

Many studies have reported significant behavioral impact of physical activity interventions. However, few have examined changes in potential mediators of change preceding behavioral changes, resulting in a lack of information concerning how the intervention worked. Our purpose was to examine mediation effects of changes in psychosocial variables on changes in physical activity in type 2 diabetes patients.

Methods

Ninety-two patients (62 ± 9 years, 30, 0 ± 2.5 kg/m², 69% males) participated in a randomized controlled trial. The 24-week intervention was based on social-cognitive constructs and consisted of a face-to-face session, telephone follow-ups, and the use of a pedometer. Social-cognitive variables and physical activity (device-based and self-reported) were collected at baseline, after the 24-week intervention and at one year post-baseline. PA was measured by pedometer, accelerometer and questionnaire.

Results

Post-intervention physical activity changes were mediated by coping with relapse, changes in social norm, and social modeling from family members (p ≤ 0.05). One-year physical activity changes were mediated by coping with relapse, changes in social support from family and self-efficacy towards physical activity barriers (p ≤ 0.05)

Conclusions

For patients with type 2 diabetes, initiatives to increase their physical activity could usefully focus on strategies for resuming regular patterns of activity, on engaging family social support and on building confidence about dealing with actual and perceived barriers to activity.

Trial Registration

NCT00903500, ClinicalTrials.gov.     

The association between sense of coherence and life satisfaction in adolescents

Purpose

The present paper investigated possible gender and age differences on life satisfaction as well as the association between sense of coherence (SOC) and life satisfaction. The interaction effect of gender by SOC and age by SOC in relation to life satisfaction was also investigated.

Methods

A total of 1,239 adolescents (13–18 years) from public elementary and secondary schools in Mid-Norway participated in the school-based survey study. Two-way between-groups ANOVA was employed to investigate gender and age differences on life satisfaction, and hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between SOC and life satisfaction, controlled for gender, age, physical activity, and subjective health.

Results

The results showed that boys scored higher on life satisfaction than girls across all ages, except in the age group 17–18 years, where girls scored higher than boys. SOC was strongly and positively associated with life satisfaction. However, no interaction effect of gender by SOC or age by SOC on life satisfaction was found, showing that the strength of the association between SOC and life satisfaction does not differ between genders or across age groups.

Conclusion

The results give support for the positive role of SOC in relation to subjective well-being in adolescents.